Know the Laws: Colorado
UPDATED October 17, 2008
Please consider getting in touch with a domestic violence advocate in your community for more information on gun laws in your area. To find help, please click on the Where to Find Help tab at the top of this page.
Basic Info
back to topI am a victim of domestic violence and my abuser has a gun. Do I have legal options for getting the gun away from my abuser?
Yes. Both Federal and CO state law prohibit certain persons from having and buying guns, and both Federal and CO state law can be enforced in Colorado. We discuss both on this page.
If you have a Protection Order against your abuser, or if your abuser has been convicted of a felony or domestic violence misdemeanor, then Federal law states that it is illegal for your abuser to buy or have a gun in their possession.*
In addition, CO state law says that if a person is convicted of a domestic violence crime, then it is illegal for that person to have a gun in their possession, as a condition of their probation.**
Note: These laws can be difficult to enforce. You may wish to consult our Staying Safe page to learn more about staying safe. You can also contact your local domestic violence organization for additional help. You may want to talk to them about whether leaving the area - either long term or for a little while - might help improve your safety. See our CO State and Local Programs page to find a local domestic violence organization near you.
Note: There are certain requirements that your Protection Order must meet for it to qualify under Federal law. See the next question to read more about what those requirements are.
If you are not sure if your abuser has been convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor, see What crimes are considered domestic violence misdemeanors?
* 18 USC Sec. 922(g)(8); 18 USC Sec. 922(g)(9)
** § 18-1.3-204(2)(b)(IV)(A-C)